University Teaching Scholars Chair Summary of Activities

Dr. Jana Fallin Chair, 2002-2003

Kansas State University celebrates excellence in teaching, and the University Distinguished
Teaching Scholar award is one of the avenues created to recognize exemplary teaching
and scholarship. Being awarded the Coffman Chair of the University Distinguished Teaching
Scholars in 2002-2003 was a terrific honor, and provided me with many opportunities
to learn more about the outstanding instruction provided across the campus by K-State
faculty.

During the year as Coffman Chair, the recipient must design a project which will be
of service to the university community. For my project, I chose to create an instructional
DVD, highlighting professors on campus whose teaching is considered outstanding.

Engaging the Learner, a DVD illustrating exemplary teaching strategies and instructional methods and ideas
from Kansas State University faculty, is the product developed during my year as the
Coffman Chair of the University Distinguished Teaching Scholars 2002-2003. The project
was originated due to my concern that some K-State faculty never seem to take advantage
of the numerous teaching events offered on campus. In discussing my concerns with
then Provost Jim Coffman, he asked me why I thought some individuals choose not to
attend such meetings, seminars and lectures presented at K-State. My answer was that
some truly have scheduling conflicts and are unable to attend, but I fear that some
think they would be admitting a weakness by attending a session devoted to improving
teaching. Those who enjoy learning more about successful teaching do not share these
feelings or concerns, because they understand that one never “arrives” at a point
where they are the best teacher possible. Excellent teachers are always growing and
learning how to present their materials more effectively, which is one of the joys
of teaching. One can always learn more.

In thinking about professors who decide not to attend events on campus dealing with
improving teaching, my plan was to provide a vehicle where people could observe outstanding
teachers at work, all from their own computer in their own office or home, and at
a convenient times. The design of the DVD came from hours spent observing and filming
classes at K-State, and then editing the film using an editing program Vegas Video,
with guidance and help from Phyllis Epps, a graphic designer in K-State’s IT Division.
My Graduate Teaching Assistant at the time of the award, Nate McClendon, a music teacher
returning to earn a Master’s degree, was also a great help in the filming and editing
process of the project. Nate also composed music to be included in the DVD. We spent
hours in the library editing the footage from over 40 classes observed.

The footage from the various classes was viewed and organized according to emerging
themes. The DVD was then designed around these topics such as Teaching the Large Lecture
Class, Using Humor to Increase Learning, Engaging the Student in the Learning, Assessing
Learning, Using Technology in Teaching, Questioning Ideas and other topics pertinent
to good teaching practice. When viewing the DVD, one clicks on the menu screen, is
then taken to a list of teaching topics from which to choose.

Faculty members involved in the project were chosen from award-winning instructors,
suggestions from K-State faculty and students, and discussion with leadership in the
Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning. Every college is represented
on the DVD, as well as teaching personnel of every rank, from instructor to full professor.
Large classes, studio teaching, seminars and lab teaching are part of the outstanding
teaching on the DVD.

For the final presentation as Coffman Chair, all the faculty members involved in the
DVD project were introduced at the event held in Fiedler Hall in the K-State Engineering
complex April 3, 2003. A demonstration of the DVD was shown to the audience attending
the Provost Lecture event. Observing people attending the lecture watch a huge screen
filled with images of their K-State colleagues teaching was a fascinating experience
in itself. The expressions of these faces were images of how much we all appreciate
good educators. One attendee told me later that the event brought us all together
in unity, not something that always happens on a college campus!

Engaging the Learner has been given to each new faculty member coming to K-State since the DVD was designed.
Hopefully it continues each year to inspire and help people become better as educators
of their chosen fields of study.

Being selected as a Kansas State University Distinguished Teaching Scholar in addition
to being a great honor, made me feel like someone said “Thanks” for all the years
of hard work of teaching in the Music Education Division at K-State. Many outstanding
teachers work at K-State, and hopefully this DVD project has spotlighted some of the
incredible individuals. THANKS to all of us whose lifework has been devoted to helping
our young people prepare for careers and for living life more successfully.